Health Advice

CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19)

The health and wellbeing of students and staff is our top priority.

We continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation. The state, federal and international response to the virus is informing our response to ensure we are providing a safe environment for students and staff.

TAFE SA has transitioned over 90 per cent of its courses to digitally enabled learning from the beginning of Term 2.

Students with a computer or device (smart phone/tablet) who can access our digitally enabled learning via the internet are asked to do so. There is no need to come on campus.

Students without access to a computer or the internet can visit a TAFE SA Student Hub to arrange access to a computer and Wi-Fi connection.

Should you need to attend a campus, it’s important we all practice social distancing, use the hygiene stations and eat lunch outside. If you are unwell for ANY reason, please do not attend a TAFE SA campus.

The Australian Government has released a new app, COVIDSafe, which helps speed up contacting people exposed to coronavirus (COVID-19). Downloading the app is something you can do to protect you, your family and friends. For more information or to download the app visit COVIDSafe.

The TAFE SA Workplace Health and Safety team are monitoring the changing situation daily to ensure we are making informed decisions based on the latest health advice.

Students will be advised immediately if any action is required.

If you need additional information or would like to discuss options with a TAFE SA counsellor, please contact the TAFE SA Customer Support Contact Team on 1800 882 661 to arrange a phone appointment or email.

Further Information

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness with symptoms ranging from a mild cough to pneumonia. Some people recover easily, others may get very sick very quickly. Spread occurs through close contact with an infected person – this is mostly face-to-face contact for prolonged periods of time.

Anyone returning to South Australia from overseas and/or interstate must self-isolate for 14 days from the date of arrival into South Australia. You must also self-isolate if you have been in contact with a person with COVID-19.

If you are experiencing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19, please contact the TAFE SA Customer Support Contact Team on 1800 882 661 or email info@tafesa.edu.au for guidance on requesting a variation to your FBI plan.

Students or staff who have recently returned to Australia from overseas or who have been in contact with someone who has a confirmed case of COVID-19 should follow the advice from the Australian Department of Health.

The Australian Government has put in place travel restrictions for people travelling to Australia. Please refer to the Department of Home Affairs website for up-to-date details of current restrictions.

A period of isolation like this may be considered as consistent with a period of illness with respect to student attendance under ESOS Act 2000 requirements and TAFE SA Policy. TAFE SA lecturers have been instructed to provide additional flexibility and assistance to students who are unable to attend class. Please email your lecturer to work out your specific arrangements. Online options or deferral to a later class may be available for some courses.

For classes which have already commenced, a refund may be available depending on your circumstances. Options to defer your enrolment to a future term and have your fees carried over may be negotiated with your Program Area or International Office.

The circumstances regarding fees can vary depending on your fee arrangements, e.g., International students, Subsidised Training or VET Student Loans. You are advised to discuss your circumstances with a Student Counsellor or International Adviser if you are considering withdrawing or deferring your training. Contact the TAFE SA Customer Support Contact Centre on 1800 882 661 or email info@tafesa.edu.au to arrange support.

The SA Health website recommends practising good hand hygiene and sneeze/cough hygiene as the best defence against most viruses. This includes:

Regularly cleaning your hands. Use soap and thoroughly wash hands in warm water using a rubbing action (front, back and between the fingers) for 20 seconds and rinse off soap and residue. If soap and running water is not available use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser with a minimum of 60% alcohol.

When coughing and sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with flexed elbow or use a clean tissue – remember to throw tissues away immediately in an appropriate waste container and wash your hands (as above).

If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, avoid close contact with others and seek medical attention early by phoning your GP and explaining your symptoms and travel history.

We are pleased to advise that we have been given assurance from TAFE SA’s regulator ASQA and TEQSA that your online study as a result of COVID-19 does not mean a breach of your visa conditions. You do however need to maintain enrolment so that you are compliant with your student visa conditions. TAFE SA is also working closely with other State and Federal Government agencies to provide the best advice back to you.

If you are in Australia, undertaking study online where available will not affect your eligibility for a Post Study Work (PSW) visa.
If you choose to leave Australia and maintain enrolment through online study, it is likely this will not contribute to the Australian study requirement for the PSW visa.
Standard eligibility requirements for the PSW visa are outlined on the Department of Home Affairs website.

You must maintain some enrolment if you are in Australia on a student visa. If the government advice changes and TAFE SA is unable to continue face-to-face teaching and if some of your topics cannot be delivered online, you may need to maintain enrolment until face-to-face teaching can resume. So long as you maintain some enrolment your COE and your student visa will not be affected.

The best source of information is the Department of Home Affairs website, which provides information on travel restrictions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic as well as information for current visa holders. These will be updated as the situation changes.

TAFE SA has digitally enabled the majority of courses for Term 2. Where course material could not be adapted for online delivery, staff have identified other alternatives including the rescheduling of some practical and studio classes so that we can fully accommodate appropriate social distancing measures. Your Course Coordinator will keep you updated about how to access your course material.